accounting marketing has come a long way since the landmark bates v. state bar of arizona case, which 45 years ago allowed professional services firms to market their services. today, as firms navigate digital transformation, client experience, and talent challenges, marketing plays an increasingly pivotal role. capstone conversations brought together a panel of trailblazers to explore the journey and future of accounting marketing. featuring four decades of association of accounting marketing (aam) marketers of the year, the panel included adrian ornik (ey), sally glick (formerly sobel & co.), eric majchrzak (beachfleischman), and sarah cirelli (hbk cpas & consultants).

ornik, the 1993 marketer of the year, recalls a time when accounting marketing was uncharted territory. “ignorance was bliss,” he shares, reflecting on a period when both marketers and their stakeholders were still learning. despite challenges, ornik emphasizes that the profession’s transformation provided immense opportunity.

glick, recognized by aam in 2003, credits her father, a sole practitioner, for offering her the freedom to innovate when marketing lacked measurable tools. “there wasn’t always a correlation between initiatives and results,” she notes, yet her creative strategies laid the groundwork for relationship-building in the profession.